Dome building construction



July 6, 1965 I GRIEB 3,192,668

y 6, 1965 D. 1.. GRIEB 3,192,668

DOME BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed March 13. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

DONALD L. GRIEB BY m Jlndrus SI'drvI/e Attorneys July 6, 1965 D. GRIEB DOME BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 13. 1961 INVENTOR. DONALD L. GRIEB finch-05 i Star-Ire Attorneys United States Patent 33% ,668 DGME BUlLDiN-G CGNSTRUCTIGN Donald L. Grieh, 777 W. Glencoe Place,

17, Wis. Mar. 13, 19-51, Ser. No. 95,42@

8 Claims. (Cl. Sfi-SZ) This invention relates to a dome building construction which has particular advantage in covering large areas and in withstanding substantial loads from external wind forces and from rain and snow.

The construction is suitable for various architectural designs and may provide a truncated dome-like foundation or support for added structures of different shape.

In the covering of large areas such as arenas, sports fields, horticultural conservatories, and the like problems arise in providing a lighter weight roof closure support structure than is possible with conventional designs and still maintaining adequate strength for the load involved. Where skylight roof construction is desired to let in as much daylight as possible, the supporting framework should cast a minimum of shadow.

Geodesic and other types of structures have required a substantial beam thickness for support. This results in greater shadows, greater weight and many times greater cost.

The present invention provides a construction that is more flexible in design, that is substantially thinner in shell thickness, that provides a substantially greater useful light ransmission for skylight coverage, that is generally light or in Weight for the strength required, and that is less costly for certain structural designs. For northern climates the conoidal shape provides less flatness near the apex of the dome and better drainage with less snow load on the roof. The use of reinforced concrete for the frame provides a fully fireproof structure in all elements.

In carrying out the invention the frame is comprised of like pre-cast reinforced concrete geometric sections preferably of generally hexagonal and also diamond shape, joined together in recurring pattern in circular tiers providing the dome shape. The joinder of the sections provides for transmission of load forces from section to section and the dome shape adds rigidly against deflection. The construction provides a basic triangular pattern within and between the hexagonal and diamond sections and which results in beam sections extending in a substantially vertical plane from the bottom to the top ring of the dome. Diagonal beams are also continuous and strengthen the structure against wind forces tending to twist the same out of shape.

Application of a skylight or other roof coverage to the frame is provided by suitable supports at hub intersections of a plurality of beams and the basic triangular areas provide suitable arrangements for panes of skylight glass or other roof panels.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a construction presently contemplated as the best mode of carrying out the invention.

in the drawings:

FEGURE l is a side elevation of a dome type building designed, for example, for a horticultural conservatory, and with part of the roof removed to show the frame partly schematically;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the building with part of the roof removed to show the name partly schematically;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation showing a vertical portion of the building frame;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevation taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

PEG. 6 is a vertical section through a joint between sections of the frame, taken on line 66 of PEG. 3;

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FIG. 7 is an elevation taken on line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 9 is a diagonal section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 3.

The building illustrated has a circular base 1 which may be substantially over one hundred feet in diameter, a truncated dome shaped frame 2, and a covering or enclosure 3.

The base 1 is generally of reinforced concrete usually poured in situ and providing a base ring 4 with a series of circumferentially adjacent upwardly extending triangular wall units 5. One or more door openings 6 may be provided through the base 1 for access to the interior of the building. Each triangle unit 5 may be open at its center for receiving a window pane for admitting light to the interior, if desired.

The building frame 2 is comprised of circumferential tiers of pre-cast reinforced concrete frame units '7 of generally exagonal outline with diagonal cross-struts 8 between outer corners 9 and the center it The units '7 are preferably arranged with the vertical sides 11 of each unit in a tier secured to corresponding sides ll. of adjacent units and with the upper corner points 12 of each unit of a tier secured to corresponding lower corner points 13 of the units of the next tier.

A vertical strut 14 extends from the lower point 13 to the upper point 12 of each unit '7 and joins integrally with cross-struts 8 at center it). Struts 14- correspond to the vertical major axis of each unit 7, which may be longer than the other axes thereof. The struts ti and 14 are designed to lie in substantially the general curvature of the dome or frame 2 so that when all of the units 7 are assembled each is complementary with the others in providing the complete dome or frame except the top which may be capped as hereinafter described.

The sides ll. of two adjacent units are abutted edge- Wise and secured together by an intermediate steel plate 15 welded to exposed reinforcing plates 16 cast in each of the sides, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Additional grout 17 is applied over and embedding the plate 15 and any exposed portions of plates 16 and the weld to provide an integral joint between the adjacent units.

The corresponding upper point 12 and lower point 13 of two vertically adjacent units 7 are Welded together by means of a steel plate 18 underlying exposed ends of reinforcing bars 19 at the joint. (FlGS. 6 and 7.) Additional grout 26 is applied over the plate and bars 19 to complete the symmetry of the joint, with a roof closure connecting plate 21 being embedded in grout 2t) and access remaining to a connector nut 22.

In the construction illustrated there are three tiers of units '7, each having the same number of units. The units 7 in the lowermost tier are wider than those in the next above tier, and those in the upper tier are of less width than those in the next tier below.

Vertical struts 23 extend from the upper end of a pair 01 joined sides 11 to the lower end of a corresponding pair of joined sides in the next tier above. These struts 23 are secured at the ends by suitable plates 24 welded to exposed ends of reinforcing bars 25 in the struts and to reinforcing bars 19 (FIGS. 4 and 5 Additional grout 26 may overlie plates 24, and bars 19 and 25 to provide a symmetrical integral structure, in a manner similar to cement 26.

The plates 24 are welded too reinforcing bars 1? that are embedded in sides 11, also to bars 25 in struts 23, to bars 27 in cross-struts 8, and to bars 28 in diagonal sides 29 of the next adjacent units 7, and which bars converge to the juncture above the corresponding plates.

Likewise, plates 18 are welded to bars 19 embedded in the vertical struts 14 and to the bars 28 embedded in the sides 29 of the adjacentunits 7.

In pre-casting units 7 and struts 23 the cement is for ed to expose the several reinforcing bars for welding to the plates as described. When the several separate units 7 and struts 23 are assembled, the further application of the covering cement 17, 20 and 26 form a continuous integral frame that has great strength.

The frame illustrated has spaced continuous vertical posts formed by the interconnected sides 11 and struts 23 joined, end to end and extending along the sides of the corresponding units 7 from the apexes of the base triangles to a circumferential ring 39. In addition, the integrally joined struts 14 of the vertically adjacent units provide a vertical post centrally of the units and extending continuously from the lower corners of triangles 5 to ring 33}, All of the vertical posts converge in an upwardly direction. v

The top section of the frame is shown as c'fo'nst'nic ted 6f a plurality of precast frame units 31 arranged in a did mend-shaped pattern, and which may be individualy precast in diamond-shaped units, including horizontal struts Eaz which are then assembled and joined. Additional horizontal struts join the corresponding apexes of the adjacent units 31, the lowermost series of struts constituting the ring 39, presently referred to and those above con stituting successive riiigs 33 and 3. 3, respectively.- The assembly and joining of units 31 is similar tothatde scribed for joining the various units 7. The bottom apex points 35 of the bottom tier of units 31 are joined to apex points 12 of the upper tier of units '7. The diamondshaped units gradually narrow but need not change in vertical extent from the bottom to the top tier thereof. The upper tier is provided by a series of triangular units 36 of isosceles shape with the base 37 for each unit at the top combining with the corresponding bases of the other uiiits 35 of the tier to provide an upper closed tension ring for the structure, and with the apex of each unit joined to the corresponding apex of a unit iii.

The entire frame is braced securely against lateral thrust or twistingby the numerous cross=struts 8 which form a plurality of continuous spaced diagonal thrust members, extending in a series of volutes from the base ring 4 to the ring 30, and in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The frame 2 is thus constructed of great strength for the weight of material employed. v p

The diagonal sides 39 of units 31 continue the diagonal thrust members of the main frame and provide a strong support for loads of snow and storm forces. For this purpose the overall shape of at least the top portion is preferably a conoid as distinguished from a spheroid. One of the advantages of the invention lies in its adaptability for various shapes of domes or roofs from one that is spheroidal to one that may be conical, with such intermediate prolate spheroid shapes as may be expressed by the terms conoidal, parabolical, and hyperboloidal.

Struts 32, 33 and 34 provide a series of alternating concentric rings above ring 3% of the side structure, and each of these rings is believed to be in tension.

The diagonal sides 44) of units 36 continue the spiral thrust members previously described.

The construction avoids the use of arches and parabolas and gives a more pleasing appearance without sacrifice of strength. Where structures are to be enclosed by a skylight the present invention provides a greater area of light transmission than is possible with other structures, and also a greater uniformity of light by reason of generally equilateral skylight openings. For instance, a conservatory designed to employ the present invention has a estimated 80% of its area open for light transmission to the plants inside.

For this purpose the change from superimposed horizontal tiers of hexagonal-like units in the sides to superimposed horizontal tiers of diamond-shape in the top section increases the area of light transmission and maintains the triangular openings more uniform in size for skylight fabrication and for light transmission.

The very top peak of the structure has a cap 41 which is crowned corresponding with the curvature of the building and is connected to ring 37 of triangular units 36. The entire structural framework is secured in any suitable manner to the base ring.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming. the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

I. A building framework of generally conoid-shape and comprising:

a lower section composed of a plurality of separate tiers of generally hexagonal shape precast integral members having abutting vertical sides joined togather, each said hexagonal member having a diagonal strut joining the upper corner of each side thereof with the lower corner of the opposite side thereof,

and a top section composed of concentric separate tiers of diamond pattern integral units with horizontal bisecting struts disposed to provide triangular openings, the struts of horizontally adjacent units being abutted to form a plurality of vertically spaced concentric rings with diagonal braces therebetween, said diagonal struts of said hexagonal members and the diagonal sides of said members and of said diamond shaped units constituting said diagonal braces cooperating together to provide diagonal thrust mem be'r's extending from the bottom to the top of the framework both directions around the same.

2. In a building framework of generally conoid shape:

a plurality of horizontal tiers of hexagonally shaped integral frame units with the top and bottom corners of the units in each tier. all being in vertical alignment with the top and bottom corners of corresponding units of the other tiers and the vertical sides of horizontally adjacent units being abutted together,

a diagonal strut joining each side corner of each frame unit with the center thereof,

the diagonal struts forming, with diagonal sides of next adjacent units, a plurality of spaced continuous spirally oriented diagonal thrust members extending in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions,

first vertical struts joining the top and bottom corners of each integral frame unit with the center thereof,

said first vertical struts forming a plurality of horizontally spaced continuous vertical posts through the centers of said integral frame units and from the bottom to the top of the tiers;

and a second vertical strut joining each side corner of a frame unit with the closest adjacent side corner of a vertically adjacent unit,

said second vertical struts forming, with vertical sides of next adjacent units, a plurality of spaced continuous vertical posts disposed along said vertical sides and between the first-named posts and extending from the bottom to the top of the tiers.

3. The building framework of claim 2 which includes:

a plurality of horizontal tiers of diamond shaped integral frame units disposed above said hexagonal frame units and with the top and bottom corners of the corresponding diamond shaped units in each tier being in vertical alignment,

. means securing the lower corners of the lowermost diamond shaped frame units with the top corners of the uppermost hexagonal frame units,

the diagonal sides of said diamond shaped frame units forming upward extending continuations of said diagonal thrust members, means securing the upper corners of the diamond shaped units of each tier to the bottom corners of the corresponding units of the next successive tier,

a horizontal strut connecting the corresponding last named means between adjacent tiers of diamond shaped units and providing a plurality of vertically spaced continuous horizontal rings above said hexagonal units.

4. In a building framework of the class described:

a plurality of separate circumferential generally vertically superimposed horizontal tiers of pre-cast concrete generally hexagonal integral frame units disposed with the vertical sides of horizontally adjacent units secured rigidly together,

vertical struts joining said vertical sides to the vertical sides of the corresponding units of vertically adjacent units to form a vertical column between corresponding units of the tiers,

struts extending vertically centrally Within each unit,

and means joining the ends of said last-named struts to corresponding struts of vertically adjacent units to provide a series of vertical columns for the structure from bottom to top and disposed centrally of each set of vertically aligned units and between said firstnamed vertical columns.

5. The construction of claim 3 and horizontal struts connecting the spaced side points of each diamond shaped frame unit to provide an intermediate horizontal ring for each tier of diamond shaped frame units.

6. The construction of claim 5 and a cap closing the top of the frame structure.

7. The construction of claim 4 and diagonal struts cast integral with each unit and extending from each side corner of the unit to the center thereof where they are joined together and to said corresponding last named vertical strut to provide spirally oriented diagonal thrust members extending in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions for the framework.

8. The construction of claim 7 and a plurality of separate tiers of precast concrete diamond shape units superimposed above said framework with the vertical points thereof in alignment with the vertical points of corresponding units in adjacent tiers and integrally joined thereto, horizontal struts precast with said units and join ing the side points thereof with the corresponding side points of adjacent units integrally joined together to provide a horizontal ring centrally of each tier of diamond shaped units, and horizontal struts joining the vertical points of union of adjacent tiers to provide a ring between each tier, the first such ring being disposed at the juncture of the uppermost points of the upper tier of'hexagonal units and the corresponding lowermost points of the lower tier of diamond shaped units.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,075,128 10/ 13 Skinner. 1,976,188 10/34 Nozawa 52 2,908,23 6 10/59 Kiewitt 5 0-5 2 3,063,519 11/62 Richter 5052 3,094,708 6/ 63 Caldwell 5052 FOREIGN PATENTS 60,419 11/42 Denmark. 425,530 10/ 47 Italy.

OTHER REFERENCES Architectural Forum, April 1952, p. 151.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM I. MUSHAKE, Examiner. 

1. A BUILDING FRAMEWORK OF GENERALLY CONOID-SHAPE AND COMPRISING: A LOWER SECTION COMPOSED OF A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE TIERS OF GENERALLY HEXAGONAL SHAPE PRECAST INTEGRAL MEMBERS HAVING ABUTTING VERTICAL SIDES JOINED TOGETHER, EACH SAID HEXAGONAL MEMBER HAVING A DIAGONAL STRUT JOINING THE UPPER CORNER OF EACH SIDE THEREOF WITH THE LOWER CORNER OF THE OPPOSITE SIDE THEREOF, AND A TOP SECTION COMPOSED OF CONCENTRIC SEPARATE TIERS OF DIAMOND PATTERN INTEGRAL UNITS WITH HORIZONTAL BISECTING STRUTS DISPOSED TO PROVIDE TRIANGULAR OPENINGS, THE STRUTS OF HORIZONTALLY ADJACENT UNITS BEING ABUTTED TO FORM A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED CONCENTRIC RINGS WITH DIAGONAL BRACES THEREBETWEEN, SAID DIAGONAL STRUTS OF SAID HEXAGONAL MEMBERS AND THE DIAGONAL SIDES OF SAID MEMBERS AND OF SAID DIAMOND SHAPED UNITS CONSTITUTING SAID DIAGONAL BRACES COOPERATING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE DIAGONAL THRUST MEMBERS EXTENDING FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP OF THE FRAMEWORK IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AROUND THE SAME. 